Different Types of Patio Umbrellas
Umbrellas are excellent tools for shielding us from pouring rain, but did you know that they can also be used as a shade from the sun? Patio umbrellas are widely used in yards across the country to keep people cool during a hot day.
They are often placed over outdoor furniture or pools to make the outdoor experience more enjoyable.
They are different from handheld umbrellas in that they are much larger and sit on a mount.
The canopy is made of durable fabric that blocks out sunlight and harmful UV rays.
There are actually several different kinds of outdoor umbrellas, each of which we will discuss in this guide.
Standard patio umbrellas have a long center pole which can be mounted into an outdoor dining table.
After sliding the umbrella into the mount, users can open up the umbrella to full size.
Buyers can find a wide selection of colors and shapes, including square, circular and hexagonal.
Many people like to match the umbrella shape with their furniture set underneath.
The veins of the umbrella are what help the canopy hold its shape.
They are jointed at the center to allow the canopy to collapse when not in use.
Cantilever umbrellas are a bit different in that they don't have a central pole.
These models have an offset base which leaves the shaded area free of any poles or hardware.
This allows you to set up furniture any way you please without working around a pole.
The canopies on these models are basically the same but are suspended over your head.
This places added stress on the base, which is why it must be weighted down with bricks or sand bags.
Some units have plastic bases similar to ones used on portable basketball hoops and can be filled with water.
One convenient feature on some cantilever umbrellas is the presence of auto tilt.
Auto tilt allows you to tilt the canopy of the umbrella to adjust to the sun's changing angle throughout the day.
A hand crank controls this feature.
The hand crank also controls the height adjustment and the opening/closing of the canopy for storage.
These umbrellas are also great for lighting up the night.
With the addition of umbrella lights, you can turn your patio umbrella into a light source.
Some models come with these lights already installed.
If not, you can install them using aftermarket light fixtures.
They are often placed over outdoor furniture or pools to make the outdoor experience more enjoyable.
They are different from handheld umbrellas in that they are much larger and sit on a mount.
The canopy is made of durable fabric that blocks out sunlight and harmful UV rays.
There are actually several different kinds of outdoor umbrellas, each of which we will discuss in this guide.
Standard patio umbrellas have a long center pole which can be mounted into an outdoor dining table.
After sliding the umbrella into the mount, users can open up the umbrella to full size.
Buyers can find a wide selection of colors and shapes, including square, circular and hexagonal.
Many people like to match the umbrella shape with their furniture set underneath.
The veins of the umbrella are what help the canopy hold its shape.
They are jointed at the center to allow the canopy to collapse when not in use.
Cantilever umbrellas are a bit different in that they don't have a central pole.
These models have an offset base which leaves the shaded area free of any poles or hardware.
This allows you to set up furniture any way you please without working around a pole.
The canopies on these models are basically the same but are suspended over your head.
This places added stress on the base, which is why it must be weighted down with bricks or sand bags.
Some units have plastic bases similar to ones used on portable basketball hoops and can be filled with water.
One convenient feature on some cantilever umbrellas is the presence of auto tilt.
Auto tilt allows you to tilt the canopy of the umbrella to adjust to the sun's changing angle throughout the day.
A hand crank controls this feature.
The hand crank also controls the height adjustment and the opening/closing of the canopy for storage.
These umbrellas are also great for lighting up the night.
With the addition of umbrella lights, you can turn your patio umbrella into a light source.
Some models come with these lights already installed.
If not, you can install them using aftermarket light fixtures.
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